Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-06-06
THE "OLD MAN.
OUT AGAINST COMMERCIAL UNION.

OTTAWA, ONT, June 1.-The Premier
of CanaGa, Sir john A. Macdonald, or rs
he Is iamiIiarly- oue might say lovingly
called, The OId Man, " stands in the same
relation TO Tie dominion rs bismarck does
10 Germany aud isrdeli did to England.
iietweer hlrumld Disrarii there are many
points OF similarity. Naturally aggressive
as politician he vpn be as conciiating to
degree that charms the enemy.
Unlike his colleagues in the Government
the Premier manIGests no trepidation in
approaching dangerous topic, nor because
1t Is dangerous does he attempt To belittle
its Importance. Last night hc began quite
lengthy conversation on the question of
commercial union between the United
States and Canada with the announcement
that he was in favor of reciprocity between
the two countries.
al AM in favor, he said "of such re-
ciprOclty treaty - existed between the
years Of lS56 and lsGG. think there
should he reciprocal trade relations he
tween Canada and the United States so far
a. are concerned the natural products of
both countries These, | suppose, might
he enumerated as coal, wood, ores of vari-
Gus kinds and petroleum, and the list
might he extended rs experience taught us
would be beneficial to both countries.
COMMERCIAL UNION IMPOSSIBLE.
Commercial union between the two
countries in the shape it has assumed is
impossible; it is out OF the question, and is
not more likely to he adopted by the Uni
ted States than by Canada. The manu-
iacturcrS of the United States were not i'll
favor tthe treaty negotiated by Mr.. Brown,
and their influence may have killed it, but
in its present guiSc it could never be con
summated. If the products o! the two
countries could alone pass the barriers 1t
might be managed, but such 4 commercial
union would entail all sorts of deception.
In spite Of the understanding that English
goods were debarred from the PRIV
ilegcs enjoyed by Canadian products
and manufactures, commercial union
would make the United States Il inn
mense cntrepot for English manufacturers.
English twcedS, wanting only the finish,
would find their way to Canada, where
they would he finished and then shipped
to the United states aS Of Canadian manu-
facture. Then an INNER quantity of
English goods would I've stamped Us Cana
dian, aud the markets Of the United States
would be flooded with these spurious ar
ticleS only under one condition could
there he commercial union between the
two countries an assimilation of tariffs.
Such q condition is hardly anon, the pos
sibilitics. The United States will not
lower her tariff to our Standard and we
cannot and will not raise our standard TO
hers.
TIE TARIFF or CANADA
cannot be so adjusted as to admit Of free
trade between her and the United States
while England is Shut out from our mar
ket. That is what commercial union with
the United States would mean, and that
will never occur while Canada is a part of
England. We are at liberty TO make our
own tariff. We are at liberty TO become 4
part of the United States. If we were
unanimously in favor Of annexation do
not think England would attempt to re-
strain H.. but We would not he unanimous;
there wOuld he two parties, one loyal to
England and one in favor of annexation.
The usual result would follow. II the
country were of one mind there would he
no interference, but if there were loyaitSlS
who objected to annexation England would
do as she always has dCue-cOme to their
rescue aud undertake their quarrel. If tb"
United States saw lit Ia discriminate, Ike
! Canada, in favor o. England, then com
mrrcial union would be possible, hut that
Will not he.
al do not thin. either that Congress will
adopt the measure Introduced by Mr. But
! terworth that il will be seriously cOnsid-
cred, or cut any considerable figure. Next
year the two great political parties of the
| United States will nominate their candl-
dates for the Presidency. | am certain
! that the pl..tiOrm OF neither party will
contain commercial union plank. Nel-
ther party will appeal TO the voters on that
issue. There may he people i'll the United
/ States who favor commercial union, just
~ there are people in Canada who favor
annexation, but they are widely scattered,
and upon such platform could rot reach
office There may he auncNationlSts in
the House of Commons, hut
THEY COULD NEVER EE ELECTED
to Parliament Is such; they have never at
| tempted 1t, and annexation will not come
to pass in my time, no, not in fifty years
/ Many changes may occur III such period.
/ 1t is impossible to lortcll the condition of
| the United States fifty years hence, but
/ the signs Of III" times are such rs do not
nourish the desire in Canada for anneXa-
| ton.
"Thcrc is feeling here that a conflict is
| impending in the Unit 1 States between
the elements of order and disorder the
| HAYES and the have nOtS. The foreign cle-
ment uf ignorance and disorder is obtain
| ing great strength there, and yearly be
coming more aggressive. Canada is not
troubled in this way; her Institutions or
existence is not mcn"ccd;- her life is peace
lul aud condition prosperous.
TO reciprocity such us | have stated
| Canada would not OBJECT, would gladly
agree upon. and fuller intercourse might
| become agreeable when the conditions VI
the two countries l. I'd become more equal
lied, hut ut present. commercial uni".t is
not possibility And think it is better
for all concerned that ther" should he two
nations on this continent with different
systems. aud to M extent different inter
csts. Id friendly to the other, and with
such ground for an occasional Squabb,c h,
A. !, -l,ri .s ,tl..r "